First: Please pardon me for barging in... With a question.
Preamble: I haven't welded for 20 years +.. I Was never any good at stick welding mild steel (I'd blow holes in 1/4" with the welder off!) But could stick weld stainless any way you wanted vertical up/overhead/flat what have you...
I could run a mig welder on mild, we used to practice welding 1/8" expanded metal filling the holes... that I could do with a Mig...
Question: Harbor freight has a Chicago Electric 200 amp mig unit for sale @ $399. It ain't a Hobart, Lincoln, or any other brand name... it's their house brand. Seems it'll take a large spool. seems to have adjustable speed feed, though it "presets" feed based on amps (and you can adjust from there). 20% duty cycle at 200 amps. The tips don't appear to be replaceable (replace the entire weld head and cable cover) but I may be wrong.
I'm wondering if anyone has this unit... if any one can recommend it, (I KNOW, it's "HF... Junk") But at 1/3 the cost or less than a good one... Will I get any use outa it..? I'm not planning on building the Eiffel Tower... But I really would like the occasional capacity of the 200 amp end for thicker stuff... and the low end, at 30 amps, should do sheet metal... No?
If you can't help withthis question... steer me to some group that can please....
Charlie